@PhilipM - I think it’s great that you are concerned and aware of the issue of self-image and body-shaming. I will say that my D is not thin and her MT program has performers of various sizes. She does advanced ballet and has had to struggle with her own concerns about not looking like the “real” dancers. She has recognized that poor body image is something she needs to get over in order to excel and she is actively working through that herself. I think the strength to cope with not meeting the “industry norm” ultimately has to be developed from within by the student.
I think you’re right to want a supportive environment for your D but I also think if you insist on finding a BFA environment where the program teaches healthy habits you might ignore programs where she would flourish. I would let your D set her own priorities. I’m not at all dismissing your concerns but I’d hate to have you sell your daughter’s potential short looking (with the best of intentions) for a “safe” place for her psyche vs. letting her choose a program where she can grow to her full potential. If you already know she’s not very resilient mentally … then than that’s a different issue. In my experience, these kids are tougher than their parents.
That said - I would have been horrified to find that a school did weigh-ins. I can’t imagine a program justifying that. What is the impact if someone is too heavy at the weigh-in? Pressure on them to lose weight, of course. Anyone saying that’s not body-shaming is lying to themselves.
I think it was either Rider or Montclair that had a checkbox for “body type” (under-weight, normal weight and over-weight) on their audition sheet. That put a lot of people off.